other names- camas lilly, star camas, quamash habitat- wet grassy meadows and damp open forests from 2000 to 8000 ft range- California mountains and bay area E to intermountain states description- narrow basal leaves from small white starchy bulb, flowers on single stem in open raceme, six blue petals, dull yellow to violet anthers above greenish superior ovary etymology- Camas, quamash derived from NW tribes name for "sweet" bulbs introduced to Lewis and Clark Expidition as food source by the Nez Perce applications- bulbs eaten raw or cooked as a staple food of N American tribes. DO NOT CONFUSE WITH THE WHITE-FLOWERED DEATH CAMAS, poisonous Zigadenus paniculatus.

CAUTION: Consult an expert before eating or using any wild plant for herbal applications.